Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, is joining the burgeoning ranks of members of Congress calling for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.

McNerney issued a statement this week calling for the resignation after the VA Inspector General's interim report detailed delays in medical care to veterans at a number of VA centers.

"The unacceptable delays in Phoenix were not an isolated incident, but rather appear to be part of a larger pattern of neglectful actions in certain VA medical facilities," McNerney said in the statement.

"I believe the best way to restore the confidence of our veterans is for Secretary Shinseki to step down and allow new leadership."

Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, has also called for Shinseki to resign.

The American Legion and dozens of Republicans have called for Shinseki to resign, including Jeff Miller of Florida, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee on which Denham serves.

McNerney, first elected to office in 2006, has made veterans issues one of his priorities in office and once served on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

A VA official said Thursday that Shinseki met with leaders of 23 military and veterans service organizations, telling them that the findings in the report were "reprehensible."

Shinseki is expected to release results as soon as today of a system-wide audit of scheduling policy and practices.